Renters in county paid less for homes

The need for a review of rent supplement rates announced for County Wexford in late June was highlighted by Cllr Joe Sullivan at the meeting.

In a motion Cllr Sullivan called on the local authority to lobby the Department of Social Protection to further review the rates. He said the rates in no way reflect the rental value of houses in the county and particularly in the Gorey Municipal District area.

He said: 'We were told rent supplements were to increase between 15 per cent and 29 per cent and the average in County Wexford is 7.2 per cent across all bands. There are only two counties in Leinster getting paid less. That is nowhere near where the value of houses is.'

Cllr Fionntán Ó Súilleabáin said the rates should be set in conjunction with rent certainty. Cllr Deirdre Wadding seconded the motion, saying that rent controls are very important. 'Every one of us is dealing with people in these situations.'

Cllr Mary Farrell said something has to be put in place to increase the supplements. 'People are being put in crisis situations and will be made homeless.'

Chairman Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said high rents is mainly a Gorey issue but several councillors from across the county disagreed with him. Cllr Sullivan said he wasn't in agreement on rent controls, adding that rents are fixed for two years once rent supplement payments begin. The motion was passed.